The telescope, currently in the second phase of its mission dubbed K2, has identified 16 new exoplanets in the universe, making the grand totals of planetary discoveries at 3,706. Three of the new planets orbit a distant star which the experts have called K2-155. It is a red dwarf star which is typically cooler than most such as Earth’s yellow dwarf star, the sun. The three planets which circle K2-155 are Super-Earths, meaning they are similar in conditions to our planet but 1.5 to two times bigger. Of the three…

It’s a tough neighbourhoodMARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY By Mika McKinnon Could our Milky Way’s many red and white dwarf stars be home to alien life? These tiny, dim stars seem inhospitable with intense flares and destructive tidal forces. But with just the right circumstances, life forms on nearby planets could survive. Our galaxy is full of small, cool stars. Red dwarfs are common but rambunctious stars that lash out in fierce flares. White dwarfs are calmer smoldering remnants of dying stars too small to explode in a nova, but only form after…